Griffey denies report he slept during game

BALTIMORE, May 11 (UPI) -- Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. denied a published report that he was asleep in the clubhouse when needed as a pinch-hitter.

Griffey, speaking to reporters as the Mariners prepared for a game in Baltimore, disputed a report by the Tacoma News Tribune quoting two unnamed players saying Griffey was found asleep during a game last week when Manager Don Wakamatsu wanted him to pinch-hit, USA Today reported.

"There are things that are not accurate," the 40-year-old veteran said. "I'm going to leave it at that."

Saying it wouldn't be worthwhile to publicly respond to the story, he added, "I'm just hoping whoever said it is man enough to come to me. That's it."

USA Today reported that Wakamatsu backed Griffey up, saying the MLB great was not asleep and was "available to pinch hit. I chose not to pinch hit him."

The incident came as Seattle's offense is struggling, scoring the fewest runs in the American League, and Griffey is batting just .208 with only two extra-base hits, both doubles.